Water-resistant watch crown



y 22, 1962 B. B. FELTS 3,035,407

WATER-RESISTANT WATCH CROWN Filed May 51, 1960 2/ INVENTOR.

Arro/zA/sr United grates Patent Q 3,035,407 WATER-RESISTANT WATCH CRUWN Basil B. Felts, 54 W. Ramsey St., Banning, Calif. Filed May 31, 1960, Ser. No. 33,034 9 Claims. (Cl. 58-90) This invention relates to a watch crown.

It is the principal object of my invention to provide a watch crown which will in normal usage resist the entry of water into the crown or working mechanism of the watch through the force of capillary attraction.

in essence, my invention contemplates providing such a crown in which the contacting surfaces of the crown and watch case are reduced to a minimum and in which the areas within the crown which are adjacent to the place of contact are open to provide substantial air gaps across which water cannot be drawn by capillary attraction.

It is a further object of my invention to provide such a crown in which the portion of the crown which engages the watch case is angled or flared so that its outer portion is spaced substantially away from the watch case to prevent water from being drawn toward the place of contact by capillary attraction.

A further object of my invention is to provide such a crown in which water is not drawn into the watch by the contraction of air within the watch or crown, if the watch is not submerged in water.

Another object of my invention is to provide a crown of the type described in which the crown remains in the same engagement with the watch case when the crown is in setting position as when it is in winding position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a crown in which corrosion is reduced by limiting the amount of surface engagement between the crown and watch case.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a crown which prevents the entry of dust as well as Water.

It is a further object of my invention to provide such a crown which is adapted to fit high style watches and watches having a convex surface adjacent the stem opening.

My invention also comprises such further objects, ad vantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a sectional view of my watch crown in use in winding position;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the same in setting position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to the lower left hand portion of FIG. 2, showing the engagement between the collar and watch case.

A preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate my invention comprises a watch crown 1i) having a central downwardly directed tubular portion 11, which is screw threadedly mounted on the upper end of a watch stem 12. The stem 12 and tubular portion 11 extend through an opening 30 in the watch case 22. The crown lit is provided with a circular top 13 having a curved upper surface and a flat lower surface which is indented by an annular groove 14. Extending downwardly from the periphery of the top 13 is an annular side wall 15. The interior of the crown between the side wall 15 and the tubular portion 11 is open. Extending inwardly from the lower end of the side wall 15 is an annular lip 16.

Slidably mounted within the hollow interior of the crown it) is a hollow sleeve-like collar 17, which includes an outwardly directed annular upper flange 18, a cylindrical side wall 19 and an inwardly directed annular lower flange 2d. The bottom edge 21 of the lower flange 26 preferably extends at an angle slightly greater than with respect to the side wall 19. The bottom edge 21 is accordingly angled or flared vertically upwardly away from the watch case 22, so that the outer portion of the bottom edge 21 is spaced substantially away from the watch case 22 and only the narrow inner edge portion of the bottom edge 21 engages the watch case 22, which is disposed therebeneath. The spacing of the outer portion of the bottom edge 21 a substantial distance away from the watch case 22 acts to prevent water from being drawn toward the inner portion of the bottom edge 21 by capillary attraction.

The upper edge 23 of the lower flange 20 is angled upwardly to define a channel for receiving and holding the lower end of the coil spring 24. The upper end of the coil spring 24 fits within the groove 14 in the lower surface of the top 13 of the crown 10. The coil spring 24 thus urges the bottom edge 21 of the lower flange 20 into engagement with the case 22. Because of the angle of the bottom edge 21, contact between the collar 17 and case 22 occurs only across a narrow part of the inner end of the bottom edge 21, the outer portion of the bottom edge '21 being spaced away from the case 22. The engagement between the bottom edge 21 and case 22 thus approximates as nearly as is practicable an annular single point contact.

Because of the narrow width of engagement between the collar 17 and case 22, there are no wide engaging surface areas between the crown and watch case across which water can be drawn by capillary attraction. Any water which may be present at this junction cannot cross either the wide open horizontal area between the lower flange 26 and the tubular portion 11 or the equally wide open vertical area which extends from the junction to the top 13.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, when the crown is in its normal or winding position, the collar 17 is disposed almost entirely within the crown 10, with onl the bottom edge 21 extending therebeneath to engage the case 22. The coil spring 24 is compressed within the crown 16.

Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, when the crown is in its setting position, the crown 10 moves upwardly away from the case 22 in order to extend the stem 12. The collar 17 remains in the same position with respect to the case 22. The upward movement of the crown It moves the upper flange 18 of the collar 17 into a position adjacent to the lip 16 of the crown 10. The coil spring 24 expands within the crown 10 and collar 17, which are telescopically extended in relationship to each other.

It is well known that water damage to watches customarily results not from the passage of water through the seam of the casing, but from its entry through the crown or the opening in the watch case into which the stem extends. Since the dimensions of the crown and winding stern are small, it is easy for water to be drawn by capillary attraction into the crown and then into engagement with the winding stem or winding parts, which are carbon steel and are subject to rust.

My watch crown is water resistant because the minimum area between the collar 17 and case 22 and the clearance and angle between the outer portion of the bottom edge 21 and the case 22 are not conducive to the movement of water toward the interior of the crown by capillary attraction. Any Water which might reach the narrow engaging surfaces of the bottom edge 21 and the case 22 is not drawn into the crown because of the substantial air gaps toward both the center and top of the crown across which the water cannot be drawn by capillary attraction.

In case a watch should become heated, cooling of the air within the watch results in its contraction. If water is present in the crown area, it is often drawn into the crown and watch by the vacuum or suction effect created by contraction of the heated air within the watch as it cools. With my crown, the bottom edge 21 of the collar 17 is held tightly against the case 22 to prevent water from entering the crown 10. The only place the water could enter would be between the side wall 19 of the collar 17 and the lip 16. This water would be only a thin film disposed along the sides of the open area between the side wall 19 of the collar 17 and the side wall of the crown 10. It would be extremely diflicult for this water to pass from this area all the way over to the opening 30. Instead, the watch will breathe air arther than water, with the air being drawn through any water which may be present along the walls 19 and 15. My structure would not breathe water unless the crown area of the watch were submerged in water.

It may also be noted that the wide spacing of the diametrically opposite portions of the side wall 19 of the collar 17 permits use of my crown on watches having domed or convex cases and on high style watches, since the collar 17 in eflect straddles the portion of the watch case adjacent to the stem.

=1 claim:

1. A watch crown for use on a watch having a case and stem, said crown comprising a body member having a central downwardly directed tubular portion adapted to fit on the upper end of the watch stem, said crown having a circular top and an annular side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of said top, an annular inwardly directed lip disposed at the bottom of said side wall, said body member having a hollow interior, a tubular collar having cylindrical isde walls, said collar being slidably mounted within the hollow interior of said body member, said collar having at its upper end an upper outwardly directed annular flange disposed in overlying relationship to the lip of said body member, said collar haviug at its lower end an inwardly directed lower flange, the bottom edge of said lower flange defining more than a right angle with respect to the sidewalk of said collar, a coil spring mounted within said collar and crown, the lower end of said coil spring bearing against the lower flange of said collar and the upper end of said coil spring bearing against the top of said crown, said coil spring concentrically surrounding the tubular portion of said crown, the inner portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange making an annular substantially single line contact with the watch case, the outer portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange being spaced substantially from the case, said crown being movable upwardly to extend the watch stem, said coil spring retaining the inner portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange in contact with said case, the top of said crown and said tubular portion both being spaced substantially from the point of contact between said crown and watch case to prevent the transmission of liquids to the watch stem by capillary attraction.

2. A watch crown for use on a watch having a case and stem, said crown comprising a body member having a portion adapted to fit on the upper end of the watch stem, said crown having a circular top and an annular side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of said top, an annular inwardly directed lip disposed at the bottom of said side wall, said body member having a hollow interior, a tubular collar having cylindrical side walls, said collar being slidably mounted within the hollow interior of said body member, said collar having at its upper end an upper outwardly directed annular flange disposed in overlying relationship to the lip of said body member, said collar having at its lower end an inwardly directed lower flange, a coil spring mounted within said collar and crown, the lower end of said coil spring bearing against the lower flange of said collar and the upper end of said coil spring bearing against the top of said crown, the inner portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange making an annular substantially narrow contact with the watch case, the outer portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange being spaced substantially from the case, said crown being movable upwardly to extend the Watch stem, said coil spring retaining the inner portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange in contact with said case in both of said positions, said contact comprising the only engagement between said crown and case, the area within said crown adjacent to the engaging portions of said flange and watch case being open vertically and horizontally to prevent the transmission of liquids to the watch stem by capillary attraction.

3. A watch crown for use on a watch having a case and stem, said crown comprising a body member having a central portion adapted to fit on the upper end of the watch stem, said crown having a circular top and an annular side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of said top, an annular inwardly directed lip disposed at the bottom of said side wall, said body member having a hollow interior, a tubular collar having cylindrical side walls, said collar being slidably mounted within the hollow interior of said body member, said collar having at its upper end an upper outwardly directed annular flange disposed in overlying relationship to the lip of said body member, said collar having at its lower end an inwardly directed lower flange, a coil spring mounted within said collar and crown, the lower end of said coil spring bearing against the lower flange of said collar and the upper end of said coil spring bearing against the top of said crown, the bottom edge of said lower flange making an annular substantially narrow contact with the watch case, said crown being movable upwardly to extend the watch stem, said coil spring retaining the inner portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange in contact with said case in both of said positions, said contact comprising the only engagement between said crown and case, the area within said crown adjacent to the engaging portions of said flange and watch case being open vertically and horizontally to prevent the transmission of liquids to the watch stern by capillary attraction.

4. A watch crown for use on a watch having a case and stem, said crown comprising a body member having a central portion adapted to fit on the upper end of the watch stem, said crown having a top and a side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of said top, said body member having a hollow interior, a collar slidably mounted within the hollow interior of said body member, said collar having at its lower end an inwardly directed lower flange, a coil spring mounted within said collar and crown, the lower end of said coil spring bearing against the lower flange of said collar and the upper end of said coil spring bearing against the top of said crown, the bottom edge of said lower flange making an annular contact with the watch case, said crown being movable upwardly to extend the watch stem, said coil spring retaining the bottom edge of said lower flange in contact with said case in both of said positions, said contact comprising the only engagement between said crown and case, the area within said crown adjacent to the engaging portions of said flange and watch case being open vertically and horizontally to prevent the transmission of liquids to the watch stern by capillary attraction.

5. A watch crown for use on a watch having a case and stem, said crown comprising a body member having a central downwardly directed tubular portion adapted to fit on the upper end of the watch stem, said crown having a circular top and an annular side wall extending downwardly from the periphery of said top, said body member having a hollow interior, a tubular collar slidably mounted within the hollow interior of said body member, said collar having at its lower end an inwardly directed lower flange, a coil spring mounted within said collar and crown, the lower end of said coil spring bearing against the lower flange of said collar and the upper end of said coil spring bearing against the top of said crown, the inner portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange making an annular substantially narrow contact with the watch case, the outer portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange being spaced substantially from the case, said crown being movable upwardly to extend the watch stem, said coil spring retaining the inner portion of the bottom edge of said lower flange in contact with said case, the area within said crown adjacent to the engaging portions of said flange and watch case being open vertically and horizontally to prevent the transmission of liquids to the watch stem by capillary attraction.

6. A watch crown for use on a watch having a case and stem, said crown comprising a body member having a portion adapted to fit on the upper end of the watch stern, said body member having a hollow interior, a collar slidably mounted within the hollow interior of said body member, the inner portion of the bottom edge of said collar making a substantially narrow contact with the watch case, the outer portion of the bottom edge of said collar being spaced from the case to prevent the transmission of liquids toward the watch stem by capillary attraction.

7. A watch crown for use on a watch having a case and a stem extending through an opening in said case, said crown comprising a body member having a portion adapted to fit on the upper end of the watch stem, said body member having a hollow interior, a collar slidably mounted within the hollow interior of said body member, a coil spring mounted within said crown, said coil spring urging said collar downwardly, the bottom of said collar making a substantially narrow contact with the watch case, said crown being movable upwardly to extend the watch stem, said coil spring retaining the bottom of said collar in contact with said case in both of said positions,

said contact comprising the only engagement between said crown and case, said contact being spaced radially outwardly a substantial distance away from said watch stem and watch stem opening, the area between said contact and said watch stem and watch stem opening being open so that liquids cannot be transmitted across said open area from said collar to said watch stem or watch stem opening by capillary attraction.

8. A watch crown for use on a Watch having a case and a stern extending through an opening in said case, said crown comprising a body member having a portion adapted to fit on the upper end of the Watch stem, said body member having a hollow interior, a collar slidably mounted within the hollow interior of said body member, the bottom of said collar making a substantially narrow contact with the watch case, said contact comprising the only engagement between said crown and case, said contact being spaced radially outwardly a substantial distance away from said watch stem and watch stem opening, the area between said contact and said watch stem and watch stem opening being open so that liquids cannot be transmitted across said open area from said contact to said Watch stem or watch stem opening by capillary attraction.

9. The structure described in claim 8, said collar having an outwardly beveled lower edge, so that the inner portion of the lower edge of said collar makes a substantially narrow contact with the watch case and the outer portion of the lower edge of said collar is spaced from the case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,167,797 Colomb Aug. 1, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 258,055 Switzerland Apr. 6, 1949 262,843 Switzerland Oct. 17, 1949 

